What do you think?

Halloween events in NE Kansas

Halloween events in NE Kansas

Halloween is a multi-day event in most communities, with parties beginning in earnest next weekend. Here are some of the Halloween activities slated around the region:

Atchison: The Halloween Haunted Train will be pulling out from the station at the Atchison Rail Museum, 200 S. 10th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Children can board the miniature train with ghosts, goblins and treats. Sponsored by the North East Kansas Railroaders. Donations accepted. Information: (785) 985-3807.

Fort Leavenworth: Guided tours of the haunted houses on the post will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Oct. 30, and at 8 p.m. Oct. 31, leaving from Zais Park at Grant and Kearney streets. Tickets, which are $10, are sold at the gift shop in the Frontier Army Museum, 100 Reynolds Ave. Information: (913) 684-3193.

At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29, John Reichley, historian and expert on Fort Leavenworth ghost sightings, will give a talk at the Riverfront Community Center in Leavenworth, Cherokee and Esplanade streets. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. The room will be darkened, which might be frightening for young children. Information: (785) 683-0646.

Fort Riley: Some people believe certain buildings at Fort Riley are haunted. The guides for tours from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 will let their visitors decide. Ghost stories and myths will be shared during a walking tour of the most famous "haunted" buildings. Admission is free. ID is required to enter the post. Tours leave every 10 or 15 minutes. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Information: (785) 239-2022.

Hiawatha: This marks the 95th year for the Halloween Frolic, and the theme is Graveyard Rock. Starting in 1914, local children have dressed up themselves and their bikes, trikes and wagons and been rewarded with treats. The celebration now includes two parades, one at 3 p.m. for children with prizes for best costumes and decorations, and a second parade at 7 p.m. that adds high school bands, dignitaries, Shrine units and horses. Information: (785) 742-7136.

Junction City: All Treats Day will be Oct. 29 with a parade of costumed children marching from the corner of Washington and 10th streets at 5:15 p.m. Downtown businesses will pass out candy and treats. From 6:30 to 8 p.m., children can play games at the Junction City Municipal Building, 700 N. Jefferson. Information: (785) 762-2632.

Leavenworth: The Haunted Havens Halloween Hayride will be from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday in Havens Park, 20th and Ottawa streets at Sportsfield Park. Scaredy-cats ride until 8 p.m., and the PG-13 version begins at 8:30. A costume contest is part of the fun in this event sponsored by Leavenworth Parks and Recreation. The rain date is Oct. 30. Information: (913) 651-2203.

On Oct. 29 and 30, the Halloween Fire Safety House for children 10 and younger will be open from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Riverfront Community Center and the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum at Cherokee and Esplanade streets. Treats include popcorn and cider. Canned goods will be collected for local food pantries.

Madison: The Fall Fest on Saturday includes a pumpkin carving contest, a sloppy joe feed, a parade and arts and crafts. Merchants will have candy for trick-or-treaters. The historical Madison Depot will be the site for a haunted house. Information: (620) 437-6625.

Manhattan: Little goblins can trick or treat from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Sunset Zoo. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 12; younger kids get in free. On Oct. 31, they can repeat the performance during All Treats Day in downtown Manhattan starting at 5 p.m. along Poyntz, then head over to Manhattan Town Center for more treats from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Oskaloosa: The annual Halloween parade will be Oct. 31, with lineup at the community center lot on the northwest corner of the town square. Trunk or Treat will follow at Liberty and Washington streets. Information: (785) 597-5151.

Topeka: Scary on the Prairie takes kids back in time for trick-or-treating at the historic buildings on the grounds of Old Prairie Town, 124 N.W. Fillmore. The event, from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, is geared toward elementary school children. Admission is $2 per person, and parents or guardians must accompany children. Information: (785) 368-2437.

Children's Railroad Activity Day will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at Great Overland Station, 701 N. Kansas Ave. A costume contest will include a prize for the best "Wizard of Oz" costumes, in honor of the Oz exhibit on display at the station, and for railroad-themed costumes. Children 12 and younger get in free; adult admission is $4, and $3 for those 62 and older. Information: (785) 232-5533.

Vassar: The FunFest opens with a costume parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday (no scary costumes, please) and includes a pie contest, a car show and a silent auction. Parade registration is at the fire house. Children also can sing along with Dorothy from the Land of Oz, ride on a fire engine and do crafts. Live music will play from 1 to 4 p.m., and a trick pony show is set for 1:30 p.m. The festival closes with a pinata bash at 3:45 p.m. Vassar is in Osage County, south of Lake Pomona.

Wellsville: Hallowesta will begin at 4 p.m. Oct. 31, with costume judging between 4th and 5th on Main Street. A hot dog roast put on by local firefighters will follow at the city shop. Information: (785) 883-2296.